Fred Funk shot a seven-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic at Madison, Mississippi, yesterday.
For some players, the tournament will determine whether they retain their US PGA Tour cards.
Dicky Pride, Mark Brooks and Cameron Beckman were tied for second
at 66, as the also-rans on the Tour finish their season.
The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the Masters.
The two New Zealanders in the field had contrasting rounds. Grant Waite stayed in touch with the leaders with 69, but Craig Perks will struggle to make the cut after opening with a seven-over 79.
In Houston, German star Bernhard Langer, looking to win his first Tour event in eight years, shot a six-under 65.
He shared the first-round lead with Frank Lickliter in the $US5 million ($12.17 million) season-ending Tour Championship. Steve Lowery and Scott Verplank were tied for third at 67, one shot ahead of Brad Faxon and Mike Weir.
Six players were seventh equal at 69, including David Duval, South Africa's Ernie Els and Spain's Sergio Garcia.
Tiger Woods was on 70 after a topsy-turvy round. In Sardinia, New Zealander Elliott Boult battled a sleepless night to finish with a one-under 71 on the opening day of the Italian Open.
The Blenheim golfer ended the first round of his final European event of the season eight strokes behind England's Mark Roe and Italian Michele Reale.
They lead the event at nine under, one ahead of Sweden's Fredrik Andersson.
New Zealand's Greg Turner was level with par after a round of 72.
Boult spent 30 hours travelling from Perth to Sardinia to try to secure his place on next year's European Tour.
He arrived on Thursday on the Italian holiday island.
Boult is 117th on the Order of Merit, but needs to be among the top 115 on the final afternoon to be assured of retaining his playing card for next year's Tour.
- AGENCIES
